'Save our sheep' scheme could work, says Sedbergh farmer (From The Westmorland Gazette)

'Save our sheep' scheme could work, says Sedbergh farmer

9:10am Friday 3rd July 2009

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CUMBRIAN hill farmers are backing a radical action plan to ‘save our sheep’ and help protect the future of England’s countryside.

Figures revealed by Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron show a 20 per cent decline in the number of sheep since 1997, with almost 19 million falling to 15,535,215 last year.

Although foot and mouth disease in 2001 caused the biggest decline, the downturn has continued.

The reasons for this are thought to be:

- the lack of profitability in the industry; - insufficient funding from Government; - European Union plans for compulsory electronic sheep tagging, viewed by many farmers as expensive and unnecessary.

A five-point plan drawn up by Mr Farron could be a way forward, according to hill farmer Andrew Pratt, of Buckbank Farm at Cautley, near Sedbergh.

Mr Farron has suggested changes which include introducing a hill farming apprenticeship scheme to encourage the next generation of upland farmers by allowing them to gain business skills and further education.

He also hopes to set up a ‘cap and trade’ system, where large companies who exceed their carbon emissions have to pay a fee that would go to hill farmers to plant more trees and extend peatland.

“I would like to think the plan would make a difference. The average age of hill farmers is over 50 I would think, so the future is looking bleak. I am 39 and am classed as a young farmer,” said Mr Pratt.

“You could be a builder’s labourer and make three times as much as you would as a farmer. Building is more of a nine to five job with weekends off. With farming being a 24/7 job, it doesn’t appeal.”

Mr Farron’s five-point plan also includes pushing for a move away from compulsory sheep tagging to a voluntary system, increasing funding for hill farmers and ensuring a fair price for food through a supermarket code of conduct.

“Let’s face it, the hills are always going to be the last to be farmed,” said Gordon Capstick, who farms at Heversham.

“The good land in Lincolnshire is going to be the first, so if you want these hills preserving you have got to make it profitable.”

Mr Farron said the biggest decline in sheep numbers took place at the time of foot-and-mouth in 2001 – but the decline has continued.

“Without a strong domestic sheep industry, we will struggle to maintain our upland environment and struggle to ensure food security,” he added.

“Britain’s dependence on imports is dangerously high and it is imperative we ensure that our industry is strengthened.”

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